CLAN CHIEFTAINSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 6

CLAN CHIEFTAINSHIP

The legal dispute over the chieftancy of the Macleans of Ardgour, which began in August, 1935, when the girl claimant, Miss Catriona Louise Maolean was 10, is to be reopened, and; protracted arguments are expected. Last December Sir Francis Grant, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, gave judgment without naming either Miss Maclean or her kinsman, LieutenantCommander Henry Hugh Maclean, of Rursledon, Hants, as chief of the clan.' He said it was a social distinction beyond his power to impose on a clan if they declined to recognise it. Miss Maclean was, however, granted the right to bear the arms, conjointly with her four sisters, of her father, who was ebieltau when be died in 1935.

There have also been several hearings of the case in the second division of the Court of Session, Edinburgh. In a petition presented to Lord Aitcliison at this court, Miss Maclean was described as “ Chieftaincss of Ardgour,” while Lieutenant-Com-mander Maclean was designated “ eighteenth Chieftain of Ardgour.” Mr Hector M'Kechnie, for Lieu-tenant-Commander Maclean, said he was not satisfied that the Lord Lyon had given a complete ruling, aiid asked that the case should be put on the Summer Roll so that two points could bo decided: Which of the rival claimants should bo chief according to the supposed rules of succession among Highland clans: and

If Henry Maclean was recognised as chieftain, would he be entitled to supporters as such. Lord Aitcliison said he would place the matter on the Summer Roll for hearing.